Tandem axle suspension and components



March 4, 1958 L. G. BOUGHNER El'AL I TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION ANDCOMPONENTS Filed March 3 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LAWRENCE (iBOUGHNER.

PERCY C. WHITING' ATTORNEYS March 1958 L- G. BOUGHNER ErAL 2,825,415

TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION AND COMPONENTS Filed March 3, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTORS LAWRENCE Er. BOUGHNER PERCY C- Wm-rme- ATTORNEYS March 4,1958 L. G. BOUGHNER ETAL 2,825,415

TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION AND COMPONENTS Filed March 3 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet3 INVENTORS LAWRENCE G: BOUGHNER PERCY C. Wm-rme ATTORNEY/3 March 4,1958 L. G. BOUGHNER ETAL 2,8

TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION AND COMPONENTS Filed March 3, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet4 /Q3 0.5 {07 /M 1 W I INVENTOES LAWRENCE G BOUGHNE'R.

Psncv C. WHn-me- ATTORNEYJ BY M%%% March 4, 1958 Filed March 3, 1954 L.e. BOUGHNER ET AL 2,825,415 TANDEM AXLE-SUSPENSION AND COMPONENTS' 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Elf/907E T 4 INVENTORS LAWRENCE (i BOUG-HNER.

Uni-ted a es 1 TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION AND COMPONENTS Lawrence G.Boughner and Percy C. Whiting, Detroit,

'ch., assignors to Rockwell Spring and Axle 6ampany, Coraopolis, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Application March 3, 1954, Serial No.413,896

19 Claims. (Cl. 130-22) The present invention relates to improvements intandem axle assemblies for vehicles, and more particularly to a new andimproved tandem drive axle suspension and its components providing awide variety of wheel base lengths through the use ofinterchangeableparts.

Vehicles having tandem drive axle assemblies may be used for a widevariety of loads varying from relatively light to very heavy. Whenrelatively heavy loads are to be carried on the vehicle, it is generallynecessary to use sufiiciently large diameter high capacity tires toadequately support the wheel load. However, when relatively light loadsonly are to be carried on the vehicle it is adequate and less expensiveto use smaller tires.

Tandem axle assemblies using the larger tires necessitate longer tandemaxle spacing than those using the smaller tires, to provide adequateclearances between the tires at the same side of the vehicle. Hence themanufacturer usually supplies the proper tire size and adapt a vehiclealready equipped with a suspension for carrying relatively light loadsto suit it for heavier loads, larger tires were needed and the tandemdrive axle wheel base, that is the distance between the axle centers,had to be lengthened to provide proper clearance between the tires onthe tandem axle wheels on each side. The

reverse is true when adapting a vehicle from heavy to light loadcapacity.

When the tires and wheel base were so changed to appropriate size, itwas necessary in the prior art to provide new torque rods, springs andassociated torque rod brackets of suitable size to suit the new spacingbetween the axles. This prior art practice has not been satisfactorysince it requires a number of parts individual to each axle spacing andthe cost of inventories over the country is high. The invention providesfor substantially universal adaptation to a wide range of wheel baseswithout requiring new parts.

The invention is particularly valuable where only one of the two axlesin the tandem axle assembly is driven. It is preferable to load thedriven axle more than the non-driven axle and for that reason the pointof attachment of the suspension to the frame is located closer to thedriven axle. In the prior art this required different length torque rodsand different torque rod mounting brackets for the separate axles, andin the case of a conversion job the changeover was'time consuming andcostly. In the invention this arrangement can be se- ,ings maybe quicklyobtained cured using the same parts as in dual drive axle assemblies.

Further, vehicles of the type here involved are extensively used in thearmed services in and out of combat, so that the completeinterchangeability of parts such as torque rods and rod mountingbrackets for the axles provided by the invention is very valuable in thefield.

This is also very important production-wise, whether for military orcivilian use, since it enables low inventories for manufacture, supplierand user, and also results in many production economies due to reducedcosts in patterns, jigs, and fixtures, etc.

It is the primary object of the invention to providea novel tandem axlesuspension for a vehicle wherein the torque rod system, components arechiefly interchangeable and capable of diiferent assembly positions forsuiting different axle spacings in the suspension.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a tandem axlesuspension. a torque rod mounting system and components thereof in whicha wide variety of wheel base spacings in the suspension may bequicklyobtained ,for use with various tire sizes by merely dismantlingand reassembling a few parts. 1

it is a further object of the present invention to provide for the axlesof a pivoted tandem axle suspension similar novel torque rod mountingbrackets each provided with a pair of spaced mounting posts having twoopposed sets of parallel and aligned flat mounting surfaces, where-- byeach set of said mounting surfaces may be used in conjunction with atorque rod to locate the axle to which the bracket is secured indifferent positions with respect to the pivot axis of the tandem axlesuspension.

It is also an object of the present invention to pro- 7 vide, for atrunnioned tandem axle suspension, a novel torque rod having at each enda pair of side arms havin'gja set'of parallel aligned inner and outerflat mount ing surfaces, whereby each set of mounting surfaces may She'used in conjunction with an associated torque rod mounting bracket tolocate either axle of the suspension at different positions with respectto the trunnion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel tandemaxle suspension wherein a plurality .of

special similar torque rods are connected at one end thereof tothe'trunnion support brackets and a plurality of special similar torquerod mounting brackets are mounted on each axle, whereby the positionof'the axis of either axle relative to the trunnion may be selected orchanged by connecting the brackets to one of a plurality of sets ofsurfaces on said torque rods, thereby obtaining a variety of wheel basespacings.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mountingbracket having a pair of torque rod mounting posts which are oil-setfrom the center of the axle attaching means thereon which correspondswith the axis of the axle to which said brackets are attached, wherebymany additional wheel base spacings may be obtained merely throughreversal of the mounting bracket position on the axle.

identical torque rods and torque rod end attachment brackets whereby anyone of six difierent interaxle spacrelocation of the brackets.

The invention provides for torque rods and brackets that are fullyinter- Also' according to the present time; as: em a as i t c -r n f ofvarious wheel jbase spacings and axlej positions which a may he obtainedusing the invention, i

Another ohj'ect of the present invention is to provide 1 for use in atandem axle suspension novel similar torque 7 I rod mounting bracketswhich are fully interchangeable Referring to the drawings, particularlyFigures land 'with others in the suspension rsoethatany.one..may,be 2,the tandem axle suspension' comprises spaced parallel connected toeither axle of the tandem aiile suspension d e axle assembliesand 31',hereinafter referred O in any one of the torque rod positions. 1 i asthefront rear axle andrear axle, respectively, connected" 7 'Anotherobject of the presentlinvention'isTto provide to support afvehiclechassisframe-lll in a manner'de-'-' such a novel'torque rodmounting'brackef which isrela-f scribed in detail below. Armain:- propeller drive shaitg tively inexpensive to make since it has only twomachined 1 (n'ot shown) drives the pinion shaft 33 of the front' rear rV surfaces 'which mayj be formed inta' single operation: V 10 axle ltiland a propeller drive shait fift extendsffbm Arioth'er. object of theinvention is to provide for use the front rear axle pinion shaft-331 therearaxle: n a1 tandem axle Qsusplension" novel similar torque rods Shafth r i'g r i *1 which are t fullywinterchangeahle with others; inQthe'fsus- 4. Referring to figures) Q a pair; of depending side pensionsd thatiany' One mayibefused in any torque md' rackets 36 (only one ofwhich is shown) are bolted at o positionin' connection" withleitheraxiefotithe' tandem 37 to g side freme-memhersfigandrtocross ,f ameaXlesuspension. 4 j f} V tmernloer 39 of chassis 32, one at each side ofthe vehicle.

lAnother object of thi iflvefltibn fsifo pfovid e a, tog'que Brackets 36comprise upper and lower sections 40 and 41 V rodhaving novel resilientuniversal endconne'ctionswhiclr 1 elt d t g t at 2. t0 f0 m a 4 'h g;. Q13 avoid'overstressing of said' connections when the vehicle 9 1extending fi h i A- QS t y-Q 'Yt 1 hits aj'bump in the'roadfundefnormal'load or overload 29 one end of whiclilis' shown,tnon-rotatably. supported conditio g tq' sueh extent that theconnections are .vir- 0n e chassis y seciliriilgiit-v adjacentl en inherb a tuallynnder'nd torsional stress when the'vehicle is nor 4f'brackts'36'as by bolts 42', jil ig i "mally loaded. I A f i 7 Each endof cross tube 45 ektends loutwardly from the t ;A;further and relatedobjeetofgthe present invention is "br c 36 to form p --Q q ly-ena t'to-providaa novel torque rod having a resilient connection 25 which isshown) for receiving'ia spring; seatr 4 7 which andside' armswi'th'fac'esflat an angle to the rod axis with ha 13 Pl 15663011?436111411 boss: section 9 n bolt holesjitlierein having} s'uflicientclearance so that the-:bolts' for" assembly may be readily slid throughsaid 7 side, ann holtiholes even when said side armholes are at t afbore'51 extending: therethrou'gh i spring qseatftiTis;

{mounted on'triinnion'46T By means .oia resilient bushing 52' comprisinga; ruliber sleve 53 heldiunder radial 5 an angleto'the corres onding h lin th b k t to compression 'b'etweeriout'er steel sleve-r54"and.innersteel rwhich theyare connectei'fand wherein 'tightenihg said" sle'evefSS'with'tliet'outer 'sleeveSIheing pressffitted intot it bolts drawsvaside face of the respective side arm into D011? 5 0f the spfin'ggat130735? This b -Q S mb Y butmen with-the 'adjacentiwall of' saidbrackt'thereby rip i gt p g 5 7M747 andljbushing 52 ismonntedeonithe;impartingtorsional "pre-strss 'toithejresilienti end eonend" oftrunniorrl47 and fH'eIdtiri pl'ac'e' byimeansof. an nection when thevehicle is unload'eCLiWhich st'r'ess'is vir- T35 flfln fl l; Plate 6: 11 against 071178 61161 ti fi gbltia' tually remoyedc'when the' vehicleisloaded. bolt'57 threadediinf'o annnIai'ring'SB welded-011'.otherwise-Many-Ot erandfurtlier'objects, advantages and fea tures'bf thepresent"invention'will' become apparent from 1 thefollowingispecification when considered in connection 'securedi at: theopen Lend or trunnion .47; as" indicated in -Figure 3', BnshingfSZi'esMentlYpermits spring seat 47 to rock relative to meme ma ma frame32; the

V ofthe invention:

end mounting axle'brackets' ofithe"presentinvention;

: j 1 "figure. Q-isa perspective view oft th e? bracket of Figures V 'iend of a torque rod connected theretor fi f L Figure 10' isjaside viewofethefl'unas se'r'n with; the accompanying drawi g rand l i fo in a 0rubber sleeve53 taking up all'jthe torsion resulting from partthereof-t. j 1 a such relativ'e'rotation. ICap plate'56 and, bolt 51amIn the'drawing sr s W V enclosed by a cap '60 secured to'the.springi'seat ho s'sasl' 3 Figure l isa' side elevation ofa tandem axlesuspension byaplurality ofscrews 59. f 1 a, t 'incorporatiri gthe-improvedtorque 'ro ds'and torque rod 7 i p in 'fl' fa' n' ie Sl Seatp rm' y mounting bracketsaccording; to a preferred embodiment aplurality offU-bdlts' 62 fun "each side Gillie; vehicles I i ioutwardlyofi side brackets 35 aiid'longitudinal. side fralfnejmen bers'38,with eaCh'sPring being offsuitahie" lengthtobe usedjforf awi'de'range of cirivefalrile spacings; 5 V t Thejends' ofjspringsffilrest f'reelyhpon'saddle. pads :63; 0 which [form j partjof springbrackets 64. i Bracketsrfi t; have inner-springlguidgp'latesf-65 for'gui'ch'ng' the sides 0f 'the*ends' of springs*61- and'jan overhangingspring; -i 5 v, t p I 7 retaining Varnr '66. The"springdiracketsfi li'are secured] Figure: 4is;a fiagrnentaryen'd 'elvation viewshowing p n:tf w ngs 30 and -31'ef ndther'of" in detail, the axle springibracketsfandthe torque/r d 'by fou r 'bolt assemblies 67 and, as illustrat'e'dinFigure'j also lower torquejrro'd" 'straddle mountjbrackets V Figure-i isa fragrnentarysectionalview throughthe 19; 3 Al Qmfid fjfl efYh 1 l flny' 193117 n e d npe'ction of; the torque rodlof the "u r ri a e'm e a iQP a present nvention, taken silbs'tantially. along lune 5-1-5 in? site1 i rac 5 f pp 'i o 'qa d d e f; r Figural; f j I e V mount brackets 63on axles; 30fan d"31. .B srfi3 are fFigureGisajsectionalview'throughjthefball and socketf r lh eee a art iiqer n efi fl p 7 v a r 'elld-gf aitorque'rodrof'thetypefshownin'Figureigrlooking 1 T Q W W' iareprldenflcal d PY ',b "m iin thetdirectionbf arr0ws 6 6 in Figure 5;i e n fi i i '1!?"8 lii$1 3 -IP9 PY? -{{A IiEig ure. 7; is. ideielevation' of" the;torque;;rod midfawmgit iP EF 'QP F T jfi '1 @5 i mo inting axler bracket ot;the'present,inventiori' V a 3 f ?l i P j i a e t e 6311 11031: unversal-socket 7;4 havingt.a cyltndncal bore V g re=8 1saniend'view ofthetbracket-soirFrgure 7- r 1 r r w a H n at right'anglestto LtS-iBHgth.A chiefly-spherical ball r v 7 7 a 7 V t v y 76ihaving paralletifiatsidesiz77gandroppositely exteirdinge :7Zand78 mounted On'the axle'housmgi w g 1 integraliarms'fiti'and579;.is;resilientlynrounted:inkbore in if7 .1 1 hbembu h tlg'fil Which'is;.of'xconvention lcon a r. f? f l ml atr q -;an l-- r mma dbv a nct l'ks n s t "of the present invent on showing angular ncl nat on ofxg t intoother bqreivjsfi V 1 9 #0 31 1? Qd'firntt qpgnectionsft qm i and arejformedl-withtapertures SZLand-BQirespectiveIY pre st'ressftherein upon-assemblyg 'and; u l'Thelbppo s itesides f8'4 and; ofraIm 'ZBQa-re flat,j pafallel Fi'gures ll throughf-w'are diagr e 1 "Figure 2- isa fragmentarytop plan view illustrating onesideofthesuspensionshown in' Figure 1, with thechassis frame members andportionsof some. parts being, omitted for'clarity';f Y Figure3 isa'fragnientary e ndelevation view, partially a n 's ection and takensubstantially 'al'ongtline 3,13"of t If e amte eki t as perpendiculartoithe longitudinal axis of the torque rod. Similarly the opposite sides86 and 87 of arm 79 are flat and lie in the same planes as sides 84 and85 respectivelyof arm 78. v

'The trunnion support bracket 36 on the left side of. the vehicle frameis formed with an integral torque rod end straddle mounting portion 88for connecting thereto the ends of the upper torque rods. This portion88 is formed with two transversely aligned fiat vertical mounting walls89 on each side of the bracket facing an axle, as shown in Figures 1, 2and 3. These walls serve for mounting the fiat sided arms 78 :and 79 ofthe adjacent top torque rod end connections. A clearance space 91 isprovided in bracket 36 for the adjacent end socket of the torque rods.Two bolt assemblies 92 extend through left side bracket 36 and holes 82and 83 for mounting the torque rod ball arms with flat faces 84 and 86flush against the associated flat walls 89.

As best shown in Figure 3, each side depending bracket 36 is formed witha torque rod end mounting bracket extension 93. Each such extension 93extends outwardly from the lower section 41 of bracket 36 to straddlemount the inner ends of the pair of lower torque rods at that side.Bracket extension 93 is formed on each side facing an axle with a pairof transversely aligned flat vertical mounting walls 94 and having aclearance recess 95 to accommodate sockets 74 of the associated lowertorque rods. Two bolt assemblies 96 extend through each bracketextension 93 for mounting the torque rod ball arms with fiat faces 84and 86 fiush against the. associated fiat walls 94.

-.Each of the torque rods is connected at its other-end to one of theidentical and interchangeable torque rod straddle mount brackets 68secured to the axle housings.

Referring particularly to Figures 7, 8 and 9, which ill strates an upperstraddle mount bracket 68, a saddle base 97 is provided for engaging therectangular axle housing and bolting flanges 98 extend along thehousing. Web 99 and cross web 101 reinforce the bracket. Side walls 102and the upper parts of cross web 101 form abase from which projectupwardly a pair of posts 103 and 104 which have a space 105 between themto clear the torque rod end sockets.v Post 103 has a pair of spacedparallel fiat mounting faces 106 and 107 on opposite sides, andpost 104has a pair of spaced fiat parallel mounting faces 108 and 109 onopposite sides. Faces 106 and 108 lie in the same plane, and faces 107and 109 lie in a parallel plane. Bores 111 and 112 extend through posts103 and 104 with their axes parallel and perpendicular to the mountingfaces. Bolting flanges 98 areformed with holes 113.

-Posts 103 and 104are longitudinally displaced to one side of the lineAA of Figures 2 and 7 which line indicates the longitudinal centerlineof the axle. B-B in Figure 7 indicates the center line of off-set posts103 and 104'parallel to the axle axis. As indicated-in Figure 2, whenthese brackets 68 are assembled on the axle housings, bracketcenterlines AA always coincide with the axle centerlines.

eTorque rod brackets 68 of the present invention are. thus identical andinterchangeable for use in all torque rod positions with either theupper or lower torque rods. The six brackets 68 may be mounted indifferent 180 reversed positions on the several axle housings tocorrespond to a large number of optional tandem axle spacings as willappear. In all positions the torque rods and associated axle mountingbrackets 68 provide the parallelogram type suspension of Figure 1. Withthese improved. torque rod 'ball joint side arm mountings anyout-of-line condition of the two axles may becorrected by: shims;Adjustment of the tiltof both axle vertical centerlinesis made possibleby selective shim 11156111011; between torque rod end side arms andthevarious respectivejmounting-brackets.- I c -;Each;:e the tourtorque.rod .mountmgbrackcts; 68

Line 1 for thelower torque rods is mounted adjacent an end of itsassociated axle housing by the four bolt assemblies extending throughthe bolt holes 113 and four corresponding bolt holes in associatedspring bracket 64, as shown in Figure 4. As also shown in Figures 4 and9, axle saddle brackets 114 are provided so that the two upper torquerod mounting brackets 68 may be likewise fastened in position on thespaced axle housings by four bolt assemblies 67 which like lower boltassemblies 67 extend through aligned holes in the saddle and mountingbrackets. The outer ends of all of the torque rods are connected tomounting brackets 68 by pairs of bolt assemblies 115 as will appear.

The reversible torque rod mounting brackets and the interchangeabletorque rods of the present invention make it possible to obtain any of aseries of nine different tandem axle spacings plus three additionalwheel positions, as shown in the diagrammatic illustrations of.

Figures 11 to 19.

For any given orientation of the straddle brackets 68 on the respectivetandem axles 30 and 31, the interchangeable brackets 68 and associatedtorque rods of the present invention make it possible to achieve any oneof three different wheel bases, minimum, intermediate and maximum andconversion between them may be obtained by a very simple operationrequiring only the removal and replacement of six bolts. For example,referring to the orientation of Figures 1 and 2, the axle spacing showntherein corresponds to that diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 11,and this provides the minimum axle spacing d when the brackets 68 onboth tandem axles are oriented so that bracket posts 103, 104 are bothlocated between trunnion 44 and axle axes A A This orientation is shownin the diagrammatic illustrations of Figures 11, 12 and 13. To obtain adifierent axle spacing from that shown in Figures 1 and 2 withoutunbolting any of the brackets, it is only necessary to jack up chassis32, remove the six bolt assemblies ,115 on foremost axle 30 shift theaxle 30 forwardly to the other side of the associated upper and lowertorque rod side arms 78, 79 which remain fixed relative to the trunnionand chassis and then replace bolt assemblies 115 to secure posts 103,104 to arms 78, 79 in the position indicated in full lines in Figure 12.This produces a forward displacement of axle 30 equal to the distance bshown in Figure 1, and it is to be noted that the displacement b islarger than either the width of arms 78, 79 or of posts 103, 104, sothat an appreciable change in axle spacing is accomplished by suchdisplacement of the position of the bracket posts with respect to thetorque rods.

Intermediate axle spacing d diagrammatically illustrated by Figure 12for the particular orientation of brackets 68 on the axles in Figure lis obtained by displacing bracket posts 103 and 104 of one axle to theother side of upper and lower torque rod end connection side arms 78 and79.

To obtain the maximum axle spacing for this particular orientation ofthe brackets 68 on the axles, the bracket posts 103, 104 on the rearmostaxle 31 are similarly displaced to the other side of upper and lowertorque rod side arms 78, 79 and reassembled withv the posts on axle 31now being in the position indicated in full lines in Figure 13. Thisproduces an additional axle spacing equal to distance b shown in Figure1, and such orientation of brackets 68 results in a maximum axle spacingd corresponding to that shown in the diagrammatic illustration of Figure13.

The torque rod mounting brackets and torque rod .mounting system of thepresentinvention thus would make it possible to achieve three differentaxle spacings irrespective of whether bracket posts 103, 104 are set oficenter from bracket and axle axes AA as indicated in Figure 7. Forexample if these posts were centered ith li ed-1e o figu e? h a ove r aWe.

creature 6f each 'torquetrodend connection; is pr'efei'abl i intobore75fwith the parallel 'mountingfaces V 7 .7 tarm projecting from the'ba lloriented parallel to the plane C- -C which'isiperpendichlar {to thea xis- V 7 I torqueiod;sueh'orientation fieing-substan'tiall the sameThus these facesr'('84 87fini spacings may-be obtained throughreorientationbfoneset 7 of ax1e brackets'6 8'; eith'ronthe'forward iorthe' rear axle-,5 Y

b'y removing bolt -assemblies 6 7fatthe seleeted: axle'gturnf ing' thethree brackets 68;onf the axlelongitildinallyiiw 1 andtreassemhlingthose; brackets on the aide "in thisyi'e- "oriented position. Alsothree-furth'efdifierent axlespar ings may beob'tained by also 's in1ilay i'eorientin'g the three brackets '68 on the other axlle jillustrated'i in Figures 1'7 to-19e L" i 3 1 a r Referring particularlynovel torquerrod 'm ounting system 'of the--present invention,comprising braekets 'ofi having the feregoingtotfset featuregmakesitpossible-to locate theaxis-AaAo'f each of said axles 30 and 31' at anyoneoffouxfposiindicated as d througli'dgin Figuresll throujgh l9,1j1"e'-speetively. Fo'r each sueh differfent axle spacingsfa diff ferenti'length Lpropeller shaft; 3'4 is I inserted between frontand'rearpifiionjshafts sea-11635;; These'fouf axle? 7 positions alsomeke it possibletd achieve theithree-addi tional positiohs shown indbtted iines -in Figuresyl2, "1 5" n W t V. a

30+ theaxles with respect :torithegtr unmon of 'th'e suspens on tspectively; It {will be noted tha't inall-- instances' -the posit-ions{of "the. torque rods; he unchanged} amt-the t chiange in axle spacin'gis accomplished bjsimp'ly mov iing the-axles: a-nd/or' braeke 7:111vehiclesiof this typejfrbnt rear a5 le-30 is freqnent-f 1y; used astheron ly driving axle,'}and in such case there' is no: propeller drive'shaft- 35fi with such" an 'arrangement, 'it istadv'antageous toincr'ease-thedrivinQ traction at the front axle 30 'by eausingit'torunheavyi This' is" "accomplished by the-use of any one of thethreeiinter- I mediate axle spacings shownin' Figures 12 15 and 18' Vrespectively, with the front-axle closer'to'theti'unnion pivot centerthan the rear agde 31". *Eorexample, assuming thatin Figures12,.15-andf1-8 'thel left ha'ndjset-offbracketsfififare onthe-forwardax1e30,-then;the brackets V on both-axles would be inithe'position'sshownihfd'otted 1 7 line ini those figures.- This puts the:left (front) axle 'axis' A-Aq'"closer tothetrunn'ion axis than-the-rightt (rear) axle: axis A' A, and the-former therefor carries "a greaterportion of the vehicle load Heaviestf-Iozidihg 7 of front axle 30 wouldoccuiwhembrackets-fl' oh axle" V 30 arejin theposition shown; in FigureIT on the left-and brackets :68'on rear axle'3l a'reiin thepositionshown in Figure 13 on the right. 'Heaviestledingof-rear axie 7 r31' would: occuriwheni br aeket's- 68' for' both axles are t-in thepositions shown in solid lines in Fig'ure :15. It is thus,-

apparent-ithat the present: invention"nob-only enables a wide varietyQof; axle spacings to accommodate ma'ny" V V V p 60parallettandemlaxleslongitudinally spaced benea'tlr-the s frame, i 21%.spring suspension;interconnecting said iaxlesfand:frame;rand@axphzraiitylofisubstantially parallelirods f p axles: toi'attachmentiyitiit. Jszaid frame intermediate saidfaxlevfmg'resistingfrdrive i z 1165 and/or brake'torque'; reactions"incident 'to ai'rle-j op'erai Q of ea ch sidef V I I V a ailes; each'bracket-"havingat:l easfiitwwtorque :rod end; i mounting faces?similarly -spaced longitudinally prime a dif ferent 'tire sizes, but italsoi provide's' a' meanswhen V u only one o the tWoQtandemQrear-naxlesis drivem to ink crease driving; traction insthe d eflicient operationof lth e-vehicle l iven wheel? for more I ji lne paralleltosileh'faces,fwhen the suspem i loaded' operating conditions; Moreover, theLi aacement er the arner 11mm:

the respectiv "Bracket I 7 N p ened theziboIt -"assfe'rnblies connectingtiie sidearm- (789 79 6f Figufe'S yto the biaclc'et mountin'g'pbsts103;104 on: the' axlebr'ackets ss tblf in g fhe flab' -sidfi faces-efi-"the 101 ball: arms-. in td abutment fwith the' ;respectivefiat facw onthe posts Simil'atly; the liolt assemblies 92 end i2fi' mounting thetorqrieiodballfside arms on: side, brackets} 36 ib'i'ing tl'ie fiat sidearm face's into flush"ctn1tactz'witlr 7 the fiat' s'urfaces 8-9 efnd 94;respectively,whenftightenedi 15-'- thisi-torsibnauy" prestresses theresilient bushingin each a end of the torque rods, an thisstressisusually relieved under normahvehicle 16a -wlien the rear"Wh'eelssus- 3 pension substantially assumes the geometric shape: illusez'trated in'Fiigure 1 whereintdrquefrods?69 72=areall; V

with the 'axle- 20: parallel'jto each other static condition 1 wheelssupported on'flat road,"

The present; invention provides axle-suspension;having.astructurallysimple and: rela-; j tively"inexpensive-bracket:and torquerod systemmak ng": s 7 25f a'gwide variety .ofax-leispacings evailableto accommoe it 7 7 date: variousltire sizes for vdilferentnormaljvehicleioad tioii? at 'ithaeiaxle 113v stheiproper relativepositioning;-

havei ivirtually noflre sidua'li stress 1 in the suspension-:unde

V V I V "entlon is providesrian axlex mcuntingijtorque rotLjsyst'emghavl' ingibrackets; which" areli'fullyeinterchangeable;thereby? decreasing the necessaryinventoiiesby'menutacturerfdis 740 1-tributor. anc'hvehiclemsenliand resuItingjinfiapPr eciabla productionsavings. The*torqueroi aXle:mount1n'g;brack-. 1

' ets beingfeach' longitudinallyreversible and i ltaving'p visions forattachment off the torque rod ends on eithe side: of rthe'inpostsj1fl3,;ltishimake': availablea nun ber- 'ofi meetfal changed. to;

i p claims are thereforesintendedlto be embracedlthere What istclaimedand desired: torbe "secured-'iibv Uni-te 1 1. 111 a. tandem axlevehicle attending from each of 'sai ti 'on; and'brackets Ztriountingthef torquel rodendsiupon the j vehicle;v and means for I attaching 1the: respective: torque. V J 70 rod ends tot onei or the fothe'r of sid:fgtcesiofi eachjlzsaiii bracketwh ereby aiplurality of differentaxlespacinga re f available lin'qsar 'j sn'spe nsiangwi theisamefltorque.v

br5cktg iii "7; p t 2. 'lnia tandem aide vehicle ha'vin'g i V pummelrpfuseh made airings-aw conditions: Also when onlyjone'tandemzaxlejisdriveml V 7 theljnventi'omgmakes it ipossible' to 'providefgreater:tra

pre-stressecL in assembled. unloadefd conditions $035 36?sidenticaltorquerodsiandaidenticaktorquerod axle mount difierent.tandemt'axleispacingilboth .in initi lIsassen bIy- I Vventionisito=beiindicated hy fieiappendedielainjs iethina 1" 1 than v.by.therfore'goin'gzdescription: and all changes;- whicl:i; 5-5'- come;within the meaning and range of r'equivalency ofi r terconnecting theframe and axles, said suspension comprising a suspension mounting meansat each side of the frame between the axles, spring meansinterconnecting each said mounting means and the axles, andsubstantially parallel torque rods extending forwardly and rearwardlyfrom said mounting means to said axles, and

brackets secured to said axles for mounting the asso ciated ends of saidtorque rods, each bracket having two torque rod end attachment facessimilarly spaced longitudinally of the vehicle and each torque rodhaving at its axle mounted end two similarly longitudinally spacedmounting faces, and means for attaching said torque rod ends to saidbrackets with one or the other of said torque rod end faces seated onone or the other of said bracket faces whereby any of a plurality ofdiiferent axle spacings are available in said suspension with the sametorque rods and brackets.

3. A torque rod end mounting bracket comprising a base having an axlehousing mounting portion and torque rod end attachment posts upstandingfrom said base spaced from said axle housing mounting portion and havingparallel axis bolt holes therethrough, said posts being transverselyaligned and having front and rear parallel flat torque rod endattachment faces, the front faces on said posts lying in a common planeparallel to a common plane containing said rear faces and normal to theaxes of said bolt holes.

4. A torque rod end mounting bracket comprising a base having on itsunderside a transverse longitudinally centered axle housing mountingsocket adapted to be aligned with respect to the axis of the axlehousing upon which it is to be mounted and spaced torque rod endattachment posts upstanding from said base spaced from said axle housingmounting portion and having parallel axis bolt holes therethrough, saidposts being transversely aligned but being ofl'set longitudinally withrespect to said socket and having front and rear parallel flat torquerod attachment faces, the front faces lying in a common plane parallelto a common plane containing said rear faces and normal to the axes ofsaid bolt holes.

5. In a tandem axle motor vehicle, a frame, a pair of springs pivotedupon a common axis on the frame and extending therefrom to present apair of spring ends on each side thereof, two parallel axles arranged intandem, means for operatively connecting said axles to said spring endson. each side of said axis, said means permitting relative movementtherebetween and permitting connection of said axles at various pointson said spring ends, a set of parallel torque rods connected at one endto said frame adjacent the axis and extending therefrom to a pointadjacent said axles, brackets secured upon said axles, each brackethaving two torque rod end mounting faces spaced apart longitudinally ofthe vehicle, and means for attaching the torque rod ends adjacent theaxles to one or the other of said mounting faces to obtain optimumtandem axle spacing in the vehicle.

v 6. In a tandem axle suspension having a torque rod mounting systemadaptable to a plurality of tandem axle spacings, a frame, a trunnion onsaid frame, a pair of springs extending from the ends of said trunnion,a pair of axles operatively connected to said springs one on each sideof said trunnion, a plurality of torque rods connected to said frameadjacent said trunnion on each side thereof with their ends extending toa point adjacent said axles, said lattertorque rod ends each comprisinga pair of side arms'extending laterally therefrom and having a first andsecond pair of parallel aligned mounting faces thereon,

each such pair of faces being spaced a difierent distance from saidtrunnion, a plurality of torque rod mounting brackets on said axles eachcomprising a base having a pair'of'spaced posts extending therefrom andsaid posts each'having a first and second pair of parallel alignedmounting faces thereon, and means for connecting said bi'acket posts tosaid torque rod side arms with either of said'fir st and second mountingfaces on said bracket abutting either of said first and second faces onsaid torque rod ends for providing any of a plurality of .positions ofthe axis of either axle relative to the trunnion.

7. In a tandem axle suspension having a torque rod mounting systemadaptable to a plurality of tandem axle spacings, a frame, a trunnion onsaid frame, a pair of springs extending from the ends of said trunnion,a pair of axles operatively connected to said springs one on each sideof said trunnion, a plurality of torque rods con nected to said frameadjacent said trunnion on each side thereof with their ends extending toa point adjacent said axles with the ends on one set of said torque rodsadjacent at least one of said axles having a pair of side arms extendinglaterally therefrom and having a first and second pair of parallelaligned mounting faces thereon, each such pair of faces being spaced adifferent distance from said trunnion, torque rod mounting brackets onsaid axles with the brackets on said one axle having a base with a pairof spaced posts extending therefrom, said posts having a first andsecond pair of parallel aligned mounting faces thereon, and means forconnecting said bracket posts to said torque rod side arms with eitherof said mounting surfaces on 7 said bracket posts abutting either ofsaid surfaces on said torque rod ends.

8. In a tandem axle suspension having a torque rod mounting systemadaptable to a plurality of tandem axle spacings, a frame, a pair ofsprings pivoted upon a common axis at opposite sides of the frame, apair of axles operatively connected to said springs one on each side ofsaid frame, a plurality of torque rods connected to said frame adjacentsaid axis with their outer ends extending to a point adjacent saidaxles, a set of torque rod mounting brackets on said axles each bracketcomprising two longitudinally spaced optional mounting faces for saidouter torque rod ends, means for securing said torque rods. outer endsupon one or the other of said faces, the center axis of said brackets oneach axis coinciding with the lon-. gitudinal axis of said axle whenmounted thereon, said latter mounting means being elf-set from thecenter of said brackets to produce an eccentric effect whereby each ofsaid brackets may be longitudinally reversed to change their positionrelative to the axle axis whereby the said eccentric effect of saidbrackets makes it possible to achieve a large number of different tandemaxle spacings using the same brackets and torque rods.

9. In a tandem axle suspension having a torque rod mounting systemadaptable to a plurality of tandem axle spacings, a frame, a trunnion onsaid frame, a pair of springs extending from the ends of said trunnion,a pair of axles operatively connected to said springs one on each sideof said trunnion, a plurality of torque rods connected to said frameadjacent said trunnion on each side thereof with their ends extending toa point adjacent said axles, said latter torque rod ends comprisingapair of side arms extending laterally therefrom and having an inner andouter pair of spaced parallel alignedmounting faces therei I on, eachsuch pair of faces being spaced a different 'distance from saidtrunnion, torque rod mounting brackets on said axles comprising a basehaving a pair of spaced posts extending therefrom and said posts havinga first and second pair of spaced parallel aligned mounting facesthereon,'means for connecting said bracket posts to said torque rod sidearms with either of said first and second mounting faces on said bracketabutting either of said inner and outer faces on said torque rod ends sothat the position of the axis of either axle relative to the trunnionmay be selected to achieve any of a large number of different tandemaxle spacings between said axles, the central transverse axis of saidbrackets coinciding with the axis of said axles when securedthereon, andsaid posts with said pair of faces thereon being off-set from said central axis of said bracket to produce an eccentric effectpso' that saidbrackets on either. axle may be reversed to change the position ofsaid'. brackets on either. axle t'o T change the position of said lattermounting faces'relative ther'different tandem axlespacings i 1 10. In atandem axlesuspens-ion having a f'torque rod 7 mounting system adaptable'to a plurality of tandem axle spacings, a frame, a trunnion onsaidfrarne, 'a' pair of :springs extending from the'ends of said trunnion,apair 7 of axles operativelyconnected to said springs one on each :sideofi'said trunnion, a plurality of identical interchange- :able torquerods comprising a central elongated rod per 16 V with the planes ofsaid'faces extendingtransversely to the 1tion with a nairof'side armsextending laterally therefrom lat eachend thereof, each'of said sidearms having a pair" of spaced inner and outer parallel aligned mountingfaces :axis of said rod portion'at approximately rightangles,

"said torque rods being connected at one end thereof to :said 'frameadjacent said trunnion cn'each side thereof,

,iand their other ends extending toia point adjacent said f :axles withsaid inner and outer mounting faces on such] nother ends'being spaced atdifferent distances from said trunnion, atplurality ofidenticalinterchangeable torque rod mounting-'brackets on' said axlescomprising a' base ihaving'a p air of spaced posts extending therefromand 'is'aid pos s having a' first, and'second pair'of parallel alignedmounting faces'thereon, and means for-connecting saidbracketposts tosaid torque rod side arms with eitherf I 'of' said first and'secondmounting faces on :said bracketfl abutting eitherof'said inner and'outerfaces on-said torque rod'ends. i V V 11. In a tandem-axle suspensionhaving a torque rod mounting sys em adaptable to a plurality of tandemaxle spacings, aframe; a pair of springs'extending from the ends Qofsaidtrunnion, a pair of axles operatively. con-f nected to said springs oneoneach side of said trunnion,

prising a central elongated rod portionwith a pair of side armsextending laterally therefrorn'at each end thereof,

' outer parallel aligned mounting faces with the planes of each of saidside arms having a pair of spaced inner and said rfaces extendingtransversely to'the axis of said rod' portion at approximatelyirightangles, fsaid torque rods 7 7 being connected at onerend thereof to saidframe adjacent 7 said trunnion on each side thereof, and their otherends extending to a point adjacent said axleswith saidinner V and outermounting 'faceson such' other endsbeing'spaced asdilferentdistance from'said trunnion, axplurality of identical interchangeable torque rodmounting brackets andsecondi pair of parallelaligned mounting'faces'there 7 axle maybe reversedto-change the position'of said'l'atterl.

:rnounting face'sfre'lativeto the axis of theaxle whereby'thesaideccen'trie eflectofssaid brackets makes it possible-Q to=achieveseveral difiere'ntt'andem axle spacings-with the u s'amebrackets. 1 12.111 a vehicle; a V '-to'rque r'od"m ounting system adaptable'to aplurality of; "ditferent tandem; axle spacings, a frame,'a trunnion onsaid" ,7 1 frame, apainof sprlngs extending' from'the' ends ofxsaid 70onsaid axles 'comprising'va'bas'e having' a pair of' spaced posts;extending therefrom= and said posts having aifirsti 'on,l-m'eans forconnecting'said bracket posts tosaid -torque- 7 rodz side arlms with.either of said first and second mountf ing-face'son saidjbi'acketabutting either of'said inner and) outer'fa'ceslon' said torque rod endsso:thattheposition' v of'the. axis of'either 'axle relative totheitrunn'ion-mayi be;

selected. totachieve several different tandem axlefspacings,

the central t'ransuerse axis of each of said brackets coin f cidingwiththe longitudinal axis of said axles whe se 'curedthereon' and'saidposts withfsaid'paire of faces there 7 V on. being. offset from thecentral axis of said brackets'to' 0 product: anle ccentricaetfect', sothat'said brackets on either tandem axle suspension 7 having a I 1trunniqnra pair of drive :axles operatively connected to 7' n'ofidentical; interchangeable. torque rodscotnprising a'cen springs,on'eon; eachnide :of said, trtmnion, a plurality tr -alelongatedlrod:fportioniswitlira pairof side arms in a assets;

' iaea sa nion an b his defif hersof. nd

"rod axesgsotthati each resilient mountinggconnectionfor;

- dr es l s dearmonne ti n 1. 0 has; 'cannectiom at each' end'ttlrereofand ex t n n an. int s'wit lr the-planeszo'f sai U a A A p 7 Pin u isuliwfthe Xi sfs ,rmdrqrso i aid,-Qtqq r 1 qdsb ina an jat'cn n "there ftaid'fi m a e l ends ext nd to apoi t ia nt' sai xle si er a diout rim ua esionl s h e herie d j' fiem gs da d fier t i t s' omi sa m io a aplurality of identical interchangeable torque rodimol'lnt; ing bracketson said axle's e'ach comprisinga base hat/lug apair of spac'edfposts"extending therefrom and said posts haying a first and second pair ofparallel alignedlrnount' ipgjfaces thereon, means forcoilnectingfsaidbrack posts fQ S ajd; torquefrod side 'a'rr'nswithf either or saidtirstand second 'rncu'ntin'g'faces on said bracket abuttingeitherlbf saidinner and uterfaces on said-torquer'od ends so that such torque" rods;area'sseiribld in saide tarideins unit with r V the planes ofsaid'side'armlfaces'at an acuteangle'with respect to a planeperpendicular to. the axis. of thelrod porticnj'so that each resilientmounting. connection on such side ar'm'sfisitor'sionallyi.prestressed'fwhcnfthe "axle: imtis not loaded, wherebywhen theisi'de faces" sub} sfantially resume originalip'osition when thevehicle isiun;

, de'r" loadj there is virtually :no torsional: pres tress. in Tsaid''ies'ilient side'arm connections 13. In a vehicle, a tandemaxle"suspensionihavingja torque ma mounting system'adaptable' tofapluralityiof: different tandem' axle spacings, a frame, a trunnion on.said frame, a pair of springsextending from the endsfof Q saidtrunnion,a pair of axlesoperativelybonnected to said) Q springs one on each sideof said trunnion; a plurality' of l identicalinterchangeable'torque'rods: comprisingia ce n a1,

t t elongatedrod portion w'ith a pairiofesid e arms ina resilient a pluralitytof identical interchangeable torque rods commounting connectionat ea'chv end thereof andextendingl f laterally therefrom, each of'sa'id 'sideartnshavingapair Z; of inner and outer spacedparalleltaligned mountinglfacesl with the planes of said faces parallelto'a plane perpendica ulart'o the axis of s aid rod porti'on, saidtorque rods being a connected at one end thereoflo'saidjframe adjacentsaid axle assembliestfor connection 'with'either theti inner' o outer'ofsaidi'toiqueirodsmounting'faces in abuttingrela V t iontherewitmmeansfor connecting said latter meansttj V said torqnerodisid'e ,arm'ssothat su'chptorq'ue rods-are ass i, sembled'injsaid tandemunityviththelside arm'facesatan 1 i acute'angle with'respect toa planeperpendiculaij'tosaid such gside arms is torsionally prestressed:Whenftheairlel unitis notloadedWherebywhenfthesidefarm facessuh l tstantially resume their originals'position when the;vehiclef ,7 is'under load'there' is 'virtuallym torsionabprestress in l tf Fgia tandemaxle; suspen OllQhfll/ing: aipairofi axlesand atorque' rod mountingsystenicornprising inter ehan'geabl'ermountingjparts adaptable toaplurality of dif. ferent tandem axle aspaci gif a;:IQrque.-.rod-imounting' bracketi suitableto connectjany torquclrod endlo anaxle g i i a isinsqa base;twr ni'h v ns mea fo m in saidlbracket'on'anfaxle housing a pair ofjlaterally spaced vs t z' xt nd ns r m a i a eO liQnJaBd;eachgpost V spen'sion said posts and" said 'facest there Sf Paid 15. For a tandem axle suspension having a pair of axles and a torquerod mounting system comprising a plurality of interchangeable tzrquerods and axle mounting brackets, a torque rod suitable for use in alltorque rod positions of said suspension comprising an elongated rodportion having a pair of side arms in a resilient mounting connection ateach end thereof and extending laterally therefrom, each of said sidearms having a pair of spaced inner and outer parallel aligned mountingfaces with the planes thereof parallel to a plane perpendicular to saidrod axis when the rod is apart from the suspension, whereby such torquerod is adapted to be assembled in said tandem axle suspension with saidside arm faces at a small acute angle with respect to a planeperpendicular to the rod axis so that the resilient mounting connectionfor said side arms is torsionally prestressed when the tandem unit isnot loaded and the side arm faces will substantially resume theiroriginal position when the vehicle is loaded and there is then virtuallyno torsional prestress in said resilient side arm connections.

16. For a tandem axle suspension having a pair of axles and a torque rodmounting system comprising a plurality of interchangeable torque rods, atorque rod suitable for use in any torque rod position of saidsuspension comprising an elongated rod portion having a pair of sidearms in a resilient mounting connection at each end thereof andextending laterally therefrom, each of said side arms having a pair ofspaced front and rear flat parallel aligned mounting faces with thefront and rear faces lying respectively in spaced parallel planesthereof extending transversely to the axis of said rod.

17. In a tandem axle suspension having a torque rod mounting systemadaptable to a plurality of different tandem axle spacings, a frame, atrunnion on said frame, a pair of springs extending from the ends ofsaid trunnion, a pair of axles operatively connected to said springs oneon each side of said trunnion, a set of identical interchangeablebrackets on each axle, said brackets each haw ing a plurality of torquerod mounting surfaces similarly spaced longitudinally of the suspension,a set of identical interchangeable torque rods connected to the frameadjacent the trunnion and each having a plurality of similarlylongitudinally spaced mounting surfaces at their other ends, and meansfor connecting any one of said bracket mounting surfaces to any one ofsaid torque rod mounting surfaces, whereby the position of the axis ofeither axle relative to the trunnion may be selected to achieve any of alarge number of diiferent tandem axle spacings.

18. In the vehicle defined in claim 5, said torque rod ends adjacent theaxles each having two longitudinally spaced faces adapted to seat uponone or the other of said bracket post faces.

19. In a tandem axle suspension, two parallel axles, a plurality ofparallel torque rods each extending from the frame intermediate theaxles to dispose their outer ends adjacent the axles, means on each axleproviding adjacent each torque rod end two torque rod mounting facesspaced apart longitudinally of the suspension, and means for attachingthe outer torque rod ends to one or the other of the adjacent mountingfaces on the axles to obtain different axle spacings in the suspensionwith the same torque rods.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS127,240 Howe May 28, 1872 166,039 Thomas July 27, 1875 1,618,373Fairchild Feb. 22, 1927 1,946,060 Buckendale Feb. 6, 1934 2,096,530Alden Oct. 19, 1937 2,446,877 Jones Aug. 10, 1948 2,633,204 Keller Mar.31, 1953 2,653,035 Ward Sept. 22, 1953

